Kirtafest FFW Zenching

A Kirtafest from the Region

The Kirtafest of the FFW Zenching is a classic Bavarian Forest village festival. The organizer is the Zenching Volunteer Fire Brigade — Zenching is a district of the municipality of Arnschwang in the Cham district, nestled in the hilly landscape of the Upper Bavarian Forest on the Czech border. The festival will take place in 2026 on Saturday, September 5, from 6:00 p.m.

What a Kirtafest in Lower Bavaria Means

"Kirta" is the East Bavarian term for Kirchweih (church consecration festival) — the most important village festival of the year, originally a memorial day for the consecration of the respective parish church. In the Cham region, Kirta is traditionally celebrated with festival beer from regional breweries, homemade Kirtakrapfen (doughnuts), pork delicacies, sausages, and pretzels. Live music by a dance band or a brass band is part of the regular program.

The Fire Brigade as Festival Host

In the villages of the Bavarian Forest, local clubs often host the Kirtafests — and the Volunteer Fire Brigade is often the most important of them. It organizes the festival tent, catering, and program, and ensures the festival is firmly anchored in club life. In Zenching too, the FFW has been the host of the Kirta for decades.

Arnschwang and the Bavarian Forest

Arnschwang is a small municipality with around 1,700 inhabitants in the Cham district, directly on the Czech border (Bohemian Forest). The region is characterized by mixed forests, small streams, and a dense village culture. Its affiliation with the Bavarian Forest and its proximity to Cham, Furth im Wald, and the Dragon Festival region make Arnschwang an authentic place where the Kirta tradition is still celebrated without tourist staging.